Throughout the library, there are many books. Most of which do not get checked out very often. The other day, I was straightening out some books in the back of the Mezzanine. Here, I saw a book that caught my eye. The book is titled, The Stork is Dead. Now as one can infer from the title, it is about something that has to do with babies, or, yes I’m going to go there, the conception of babies. Now if you don’t know how that process works, please go talk to Nurse Allison. I’m sure she would be happy to sit down and discuss it with you. When I started reading the book, I honestly could not put it down.

This book is aimed towards the audience of teenagers who are struggling with the temptation of sex. Even if you are not at a point in your life where this topic could apply to you, I highly recommend reading the book. Not only is the book very well written, but it also honest. For me, honesty is something that is very important. I would rather someone be blunt and honest with me than beat around the bush and approach a situation passive aggressively. Not only does this book openly discuss the forms of sexual temptation that teenagers go through, but it also uses real questions that have been asked and real situations to answer them. The author of the book is also Christian, so that’s always a plus! The way he approaches the answers about sex and sexual activities is honest and in a way that is glorifying to God. This book talks about what most churches tend to avoid, especially around teenagers. Sex is something that is enjoyable, but within the context of marriage. The Stork is Dead explains this in an open, honest, and actually helpful way. If you yourself are curious about this topic, or plan on having many interactions with teenagers in the near future, I highly recommend this book. But also remember, sex is natural. It’s something that we do need to talk about, but in an appropriate and helpful context. All of which this book does.

The other day, I was down in the stacks shelving some books (as I do most days) when I came across a book on the shelf. This was no ordinary book though! This book had a little slip of paper coming out of the top, just barely noticeable to the common person browsing the shelves. BUT! Having been trained in the skill of noticing things that are out of place, I noticed this little slip. Carefully, I pulled the book off the shelf. Making sure none of the other books got out of place as I did so. Once I got the book off the shelf, I slowly opened the book to reveal the slip so preciously placed between the pages. I cautiously removed the slip from the book and began to read the words so meticulously typed on the paper. I didn’t know it then, but the words I read would change my life forever. “Now I know why Solomon had 700 wives… He never met you!”

I returned to the front desk with this slip in hand. I decided it was too important to just toss aside into the trash can, so this little slip can currently be found framed between my phone and its case.

But we are here to help. The library has extended its hours for finals week and we also have coffee, tea, and hot chocolate to encourage you to come in and stay focused once you’re here. We have survived 15 grueling weeks of the semester and we only have one week left. That’s nothing. So come into the library and get to studying.

Also, don’t forget to take a break this week too. Go out with friends, exercise, have devotional time, or of course, TAKE A NAP. This week is all about using your time wisely and staying focused when needed.

Another way to brighten your day through this dreary week of finals is to brighten someone else’s. Take your friends a coffee when you know they’re studying. Send them a word of encouragement. Just be friendly. Don’t let this week drag you down, lift up someone else and you’ll be surprised how much it helps you too.

Hang in there everyone, we’re almost done. We’re all in this together.

I spent the majority of this past summer working in the Masland Library. Okay, insert reader commentary:

Reader: “WHATTT? The library is open during the summer???”

Why, yes, dear reader! The library is open for Monday-Saturday during summer classes and Monday-Friday for the rest of the summer. If you do decide to stop in anytime after summer classes are completed, you will likely see student workers among the bookshelves, preparing the library for the coming school year. This past summer, myself and several other student workers were given the task of shifting almost every book in the main section of the library. In the course of this tedious-but-necessary task, one man’s name seemed to appear over and over:

No matter what section we were shifting that day, Karl Barth had either written a book on it or someone had written a book about Karl Barth’s thoughts on the matter. I have done no research on who exactly Karl Barth is and why he has so many opinions about everything, so it does not really make sense that I am writing a blog post about him. However, I believe in you, reader, and your researching ability. I just searched his name in the library catalog and was given over 300 results, so he is probably an important person. So, go! Find out who this man is! Maybe write him a letter asking him to please calm down and stop writing so many books that I have to shelve. Here’s a couple books that are in our library collection about good ol’ Karl:

Does not mean park 15 minutes before the interview or get in the building security line with five minutes to spare. It means walk through the office or suite door five minutes before your appointment. Because it may ask you to fill out an application and it gives you more time to do so.

2. Look Your Best:

For you well-dressed people, I’m sure you’re rolling your eyes at those two words, because you assume everyone knows that. However, after interviewing thousands of people, I can assure you that the majority of job seekers are not fully aware of the impact of their image.

Also, maybe choose a fragrance that is fairly light neutral scent, like baby powder or vanilla, can work well, but anything stronger could be an issue for the interviewer.

3. Arrive prepared:

Bring a pen, notebook or portfolio with paper, several resume copies and a list of questions you would like to ask the interviewer.

Finally, remember to look up at least as much as you look at the paper. Writing notes is important, but ACTIVE eye contact tells the interviewer that you are paying attention.

4. Have a conversation:

Come prepared to discuss the company, the role, your background, current trends in the industry, the reason for the opening and any recent business events that may impact the interviewer, role, company or industry.

Companies want to hire engaged employees who have taken the time to learn about themselves and the roles for which they are applying.

“Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world.” (Philippians 2:14-15)

5 a.m. Jolted awake by yet another fire alarm. The Heritage Hall microwaves are at it again. As the residents of Heritage gathered outside the building in 30 degree air – some wrapped in blankets, some wearing shorts and t-shirts, some fully dressed and ready to take on the day – there were many conversations going on, but as I sat shivering on the curb, there was a theme that kept jumping out at me as I overheard snippets of conversations: complaining.

“I have to be up in two hours!” “I have to go to class!” “I just want to be back in bed.” “Who makes popcorn at 5 a.m?!” “I’m gonna hunt down whoever set it off this time.”

I’m tired.

I’m cold.

I’m this.

I’m that.

Fellow Cairn students, I have a newsflash for you: We’re all tired.

Throughout the past few weeks, conversations around campus have been marked with the consistent theme of complaints – about the food in the MAC, about professors, about due dates, papers, lack of sleep, friend drama, Student Life, you name it. The fact is that we’re all struggling. It’s November! It’s the time of the semester when huge papers start piling up, daunting reading assignments take forever to finish, and getting any amount of decent sleep seems impossible. It is so easy to begin to believe that you are the only person who is experiencing stress, exhaustion and the feeling of being completely overwhelmed. But the truth is, you’re not the only one.

This fact presents a point of encouragement and a challenge. Be encouraged that you are not alone. You are not the only one who is buried by life, and therefore, we are buried together. We can take this opportunity to walk alongside one another, to point each other back to Jesus, to remind each other that our strength and joy in each day comes only from HIM, not from ourselves. We are a community of believers. We have the amazing opportunity to live together, eat together, learn together, grow together, and experience 5 a.m. fire alarms together.

A couple weeks ago in chapel, Dr. Williams challenged us to practice encouraging one another. Giving each other courage, empowering one another. Can I ask you to do just that? Think twice about the words that you speak. There is value in being honest with each other concerning the condition of our hearts and in sharing our burdens, but there is equal value in building one another up. There needs to be a balance of the two.

Friends, we have this hope that Christ sustains us. He sustains us through each day, each moment, each assignment, each sleepless night. Because of this hope, we have the freedom to be filled with joy. But we have to choose it. Choose to be joyful rather than pessimistic. Choose to look on the bright side. Choose to notice the beautiful fall leaves. Choose to be thankful for the fact that we are here, doing life together. Yes, it’s hard. Yes, it’s stressful. Sometimes it involves shivering outside at an ungodly hour rather than catching a few more hours of sleep. But this stressful and overwhelming college life is where God has called each of us. It is in this season of stress that He can best teach us to surrender our schedules to Him and to look to Him for strength to get everything done on time. Let’s choose to make the best of it, and to help each other to see this time as a blessing, instead of a burden.

As John Piper wisely stated: “If you live gladly to make other glad in God, your life will be hard, your risks will be high, and your joy will be full.”

Hey, are you majoring in Music? Looking to broaden your musical horizons or
simply add a new track to your playlist? Then Cairn University’s Masland Library is the
place for you! Throughout the library’s first and second floors, you will discover an array
of wonderful books on many of the world’s greatest composers. Explore the stories
behind the lives of Chopin, Debussy, Mozart and Beethoven and how their genius came
to be.

Masland Library offers material on a vast number of genres, ranging from Choral
Music to Hip-Hop. Jazz, Folk, Chamber Music, Gospel and Rock n Roll can also be found. There’s even a selection of more obscure genres like Honky-Tonk and Shaker. If your focus is biblical studies, there are books on the history of Christian Music, Spirituals and Amish Hymns!

For anyone looking to play or research a musical instrument, there’s a multitude
of materials to choose from. Expand your knowledge of piano, woodwinds, strings and
percussion so you can “rock out” with friends or serenade someone special. There’s
even music from the Romantic and Baroque Periods, perfect for dancing the night
away. Masland Library is the ideal place for Music majors and non-music majors alike,
whether you desire to brush up on your theory skills or broaden your musical horizons.

And do not forget our online resources, we have some great databases like Alexander Street Press and Naxos Music Library! These sources will allow you to find sheet music and to listen online to a huge library of music.

So, do yourself a favor. Take a trip to our amazing library, and let the music begin !

As the body of Christ, it is natural to possess the desire to assist others. When visiting the library, the best assistance you can give us is to not re-shelf books. We appreciate that you re-shelf books in an attempt to help us out, but leaving that job to your fellow student workers will help us out even more.

Records are kept within library systems for the usage of books. These records let the library staff know how often books are used and which ones are most essential to the student body. Therefore, all books you use – whether you check them out or use them in the library only – need to be recorded in the system. To help us do this, please leave books on the tables, on the carts throughout the library, or bring them to the front desk and stick them in the book-drop slot.

In a library, all books are categorized and have certain “homes” within the stacks. Letting library workers re-shelf books helps to ensure that all books are in the appropriate home. If books are not in their home, they become difficult to find and are then deemed “missing.” Those poor books I bet they really miss their neighborhood friends they’re used to being around. You can help them stay happy by dropping them off on the tables, carts, or at the front desk to be returned to their home by the library workers.

Fun fact: Student workers get paid to clean up your books and re-shelf them. That’s right. With real money – not Monopoly money. By allowing us to re-shelf your books, you help us work for our money. Plus, why go through the madness of trying to re-shelf books when you don’t have to. Let us help you, by leaving the shelving to us.

**Disclaimer: If you are walking through the library and notice books within the stacks that have colored slips in them, please leave the slip in the book. Student workers who are in shelving training put those in so that the library staff can double-check them, so that they are indeed in the correct spot. This process, along with the ones mentioned above, helps ensure that when you embark on the great book-finding journey, the perfect will book will be right there waiting for you.

Well, we do! You can go check out our FaceBook page here. Occasionally, we will hold treasure hunts and contests through the Masland Library at Cairn University page. We just recently held a treasure hunt for a chance to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card which Caleb Daubenspeck has won. Any details about the poetry contests we hold, as well any discussions that take place here at the Library, can also be found on our FaceBook page. If you are ever confused about what our hours are, they too are on our FaceBook page! (And we all know you spend hours scrolling through your feed, so why not look up the hours there? You won’t even have to leave the app!) While you’re checking out our FaceBook, go ahead and give us a review, and don’t forget to tell others to like our page as well!

So you know how the Masland Library has Databases? Well, we have a new database and its call Mango Languages. Now I know Cairn offers Greek, Hebrew and Spanish (only one of which you can speak), but if you want to learn a new language, are interested in a language, or simply want to brush up on a language, Mango is the place to go.

Mango offers French, Hawaiian, Arabic, Yiddish, Pirate (yes pirate is what you think it is), Tagalog, Icelandic, and even sign language. Altogether they offer 72 different languages that you can choose from (including English as a foreign language courses). Having explored the site myself, it is very user friendly and easy to use, it also incorporates all of your senses (minus taste and smell), so it makes learning that much easier! By all means, go check it out you won’t regret it!